Paul Simon Institute on Guns in Illinois

3. Do you favor or oppose banning high-capacity ammunition clips that can contain more than 10 bullets?\

Favor 62.8%

Oppose 33.3%

Other/Don’t know 3.8%

4. Do you favor or oppose a law which would make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles?

Favor 58.7%

Oppose 35.2%

Other/Don’t know 6.2%

5. Do you favor or oppose a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?

Favor 32.7%

Oppose 61.3%

Other/Don’t know 6.0%

6. Do you favor or oppose a law that would require background checks before people – including gun dealers – could buy guns at a gun show?

Favor 92.5%

Oppose 5.5%

Other/Don’t know 2.0%

The conceal carry question is about whether it’s Constitutionally protected, not where people fall on it. While I’d expect them to be similar results, it’s still confuses the issue.

The Institute’s commentary is bizarre

“It’s striking how much stronger the support for gun control measures is in Illinois
compared to the nation as a whole,” said David Yepsen, the director of the Institute. “But
it’s not surprising because on measurements of many social issues, the electorate in
Illinois is more left of center than the American electorate.”

Do you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons — including some rifles, pistols, and shotguns — that have detachable magazines, allowing them to rapidly fire a high number of rounds?”

Favor

Oppose

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

2/6-10/13

52

44

5

Republicans

28

67

5

Democrats

72

25

4

Independents

49

46

5

52 to 58 isn’t a huge difference.

As you may know, high-capacity magazines or clips can hold many rounds of ammunition, so a shooter can fire more rounds without manually reloading. Would you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines that hold many rounds of ammunition?”

Favor

Oppose

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

2/6-10/13

59

38

3

Republicans

37

60

3

Democrats

78

21

1

Independents

57

38

4

62.8 to 59 isn’t a huge difference.

“Do you favor or oppose a federal law requiring background checks on all potential gun buyers?”

Favor

Oppose

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

2/6-10/13

91

7

2

Republicans

89

9

2

Democrats

94

5

2

Independents

90

8

2

1.5 % difference. Not great.

I expect better analysis from an academic unit like the Institute. Frankly, the difference isn’t as great as I would have expected given the leftward tilt for Illinois on social issues.